Bridge in Cooladerry, County Donegal

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Double-arched bridge carrying road over small unnamed stream, built c. 1800, having V-profile rubble stone cutwater to the central pier to both the upstream and downstream elevations (north and south. Segmental-headed arches having roughly dressed rubble stone voussoirs; rubble stone construction to the arch barrel. Random rubble stone construction to pier and spandrels. Rubble stone parapets with field stone coping over having. Tarmacadam deck with grass verges. Modern concrete underpinning to central pier and to abutments. Located in the rural countryside to the south of Raphoe.

This simple but appealing double-arched road bridge retains much its early character and form, despite some modern alterations and repairs, and is an appealing feature in the landscape to the south of Raphoe. This bridge is robustly-constructed in local rubble stone masonry, and its continued survival and use stands as testament to the quality of its original construction, and of the skill of the masons involved. The form of this bridge with two small arches with rubble stone cutwater to the central pier suggests that this bridge may date to the second half of the eighteenth century, a period that witnessed a large expansion in the rural road network in Ireland - and the subsequent building of numerous bridges - which was mainly carried out by the Grand Juries (the forerunners of the County Councils). The V-profile rubble stone cutwater to the central pier, the fieldstone voussoirs, and the fieldstone coping to the parapets helps to create a rustic composition of some picturesque appeal. This appealing rustic bridge is an integral element of the built heritage and transport heritage of the local area, and makes a positive contribution to the landscape.

From the Buildings of Ireland (National Inventory of Architectural Heritage) record 40907060

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Picture notes

Computer-made picture. It does not show this monument.
National Inventory of Architectural Heritage
Computer-made picture. It does not show this playground.
Kenneth Allen, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
Kenneth Allen, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
Computer-made picture. It does not show this garden.
Richard Webb, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
Mike Simms, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0

Standing stone in MagherahaanStanding stone · 412 ydTom: I’m here to help · Computer-made picture. It does not show this monument.

Explorer Tom Standing stone in Magherahaan is now gone, leaving no trace where it once stood on a level shoulder of a north-facing slope. It’s like the ground just decided to swallow it whole without a single ripple or explanation. I bet it was the quietest exit in County Donegal, slipping away before anyone even noticed the grass was missing.

Standing stone in Cúl An Doire (tc Ráth Bhoth)Standing stone · 466 ydTom: I’m here to help · Computer-made picture. It does not show this monument.

Explorer Tom Standing stone in Cúl An Doire stands on a small rise in arable land. Measuring roughly 1.28m high, it looks like a helpful farmhand taking a very long break from work. I picture it just watching the fields grow while pretending to be too busy to help.

store/warehouse586 yd

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Children's playground819 ydTom: I’m here to help · Computer-made picture. It does not show this playground.

Explorer Tom Here is another Children's playground in County Donegal that looks like it is judging you. The monkey bars hold their breath for anyone who tries them. Bring a flask and pretend you own the whole damn place.

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Explorer Tom Bridge in Gortaquigley probably let a farmer cross the narrow gauge railway. Its arch once had trains passing beneath; the track was removed around 1960. Now the train is missing and the bridge keeps its arch. I wonder if it misses the noise.

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Walled GardenGarden · 1.4 miTom: I’m here to help · Computer-made picture. It does not show this garden.

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